renewable energy

LMP: Paks upgrade not in Europe’s interests

paks

The project to upgrade Hungary’s Paks nuclear power plant is not in the interests of the European community, Bernadett Szél, PM candidate of the green opposition LMP party, told a press conference held in front of the European Parliament, in Brussels, on Thursday.

Szél argued that the project to build two reactor blocks in addition to the existing plant would lead to a “natural, social, and economic upheaval”.

“Renewable energy is crucial for Hungary,” Szél said, adding that the country’s politics also needed renewing.

On another subject, Szél said that Hungary would benefit from European Union funding amounting to 2,700 billion forints (EUR 8bn) in 2017 alone. Yet the country’s annual GDP growth was only around 3 percent. She said a change in government would bring about “a new era of credible and honest politicians” who would “use those monies properly”.

During her visit to Brussels, Szél had talks with commissioners Karmenu Vella (environment policy), Vera Jourova (justice), Corina Cretu (regional policy), as well as Hungary’s Tibor Navracsics (education).

Hungary’s ruling Fidesz said in a statement that Szél’s negotiating partners included “commissioners seen as reliable allies of [US billionaire] George Soros”. In its statement, Fidesz called on Szél to reveal the purpose of her talks with Soros’s “foot soldiers”. The statement named Jourova and Cretu as “allies” of the US financier.

Democratic Coalition protests Paks upgrade

Paks nuclear plant

The leftist opposition Democratic Coalition (DK) has again voiced protest concerning the upgrade project of the nuclear power plant at Paks, arguing that the planned two new blocks “are not needed now, nor will be necessary in future”.

DK deputy leader László Varjú spoke in reaction to reports that Hungary would start calling down a Russian loan of 10 billion euros to finance the project, and said it was “obvious” that “large kick-backs will go into pockets close to [ruling] Fidesz”.

Varjú said that a growing number of countries decided to switch over to renewable energies and eliminate nuclear plants, and insisted that the upgrade project would increase rather than lower Hungary’s dependency on foreign energy sources.

The upgrade project is unnecessary, it would impact the country’s security and impose a debt of 300,000 forints (962 euros) on each of its citizens, Varjú said.

Commenting on Varjú’s remarks, Fidesz said in a statement that the upgrade is fundamental in securing cheap and reliable energy for Hungarian families and firms. Campaigning against the plant is tantamount to campaigning for more expensive energy and foreign interests, they said. (DK leader) Ferenc Gyurcsány “doubled electricity prices” during his tenure as prime minister under the Socialist Party, the statement said, and “left Hungarian families at the mercy of foreign companies.”

Featured image: www.atomeromu.hu

EcoKindergarten – A self-sustaining town for kids with mini-Teslas

A few months ago we reported on an extraordinary initiation: a kindergarten, where children can give driving a go with mini-Teslas while learning about environmentally-friendly living. The EcoKindergarten (Ökovifalu) of Nyáregyháza opened its gates in the end of August.

The Napsugár (Sunshine) Kindergarten is found in Nyáregyháza, 50 kilometres from Budapest. The unique idea was developed by Alexandra Kovács and Péter Weigert, who were inspired by the teachers, especially the chief-teacher who dreamed about building a mini town in the yard of the kindergarten.

Photo: www.facebook.com/ÖkoviFalu-PetraPhotography

Being event organisers, creativity and innovation are essential for Alexandra and Péter, not to mention that protecting the environment was always important to them. So they instantly thought: why not make it green and eco-friendly?

Ökovifalu has roads, buildings, houses, a city hall, a small shop, a roundabout, a parking lot and of course, road signs.

The best part is that almost everything was built from recycled materials.

Children can also learn about renewable energy in the kindergarten thanks to the wind generator and the solar cells. However, the main attractions are the electric mini-Teslas. Children are taught about the rules of traffic with the help of these cars, which they can refuel with the help of renewable energy.

Photo: www.facebook.com/ÖkoviFalu-PetraPhotography

“We see the kids’ faces, how happy they are when they jump into the Teslas, enter the small houses, and have fun while learning about sustainability and eco-consciousness” said Anna Kovácsné Maszel, the kindergarten’s chief-teacher.

Kids between the ages of 3 and 6 are especially sensitive to new ideas, this is why the initiation is of outstanding importance. The main goal is to teach small children through experience about the ways of being environment-friendly and environment-conscious.

Featured image: www.youtube.com

eTruck Motor envisions EUR 10bn of e-lorry production capacity in Hungary

Hungary’s eTruck Motor wants to build almost 10 billion euros of production capacity for electric lorries around the country, business daily Világgazdaság said on Tuesday.

eTruck Motor is already in talks with the agriculture ministry and the mayor of Hegyeshalom, western Hungary, on acquiring a plot of land on the city’s outskirts to build an assembly plant, project manager Gábor Benke told the paper.

An Austrian investor’s plans to build a 300 million euro casino on the site fell through several years earlier.

eTruck Motor is majority owned by Hungary’s König Investment, Világgazdaság said. A further 2 percent of the company is in Chinese hands and Hungarian private individuals own 5 percent, it added.

König Bank will manage the financing for the investment, which will include private equity as well as support from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and the European Union, according to plans, the paper said.

The National Bank of Hungary prohibited König Bank from conducting unlicenced activity in a resolution issued at the end of last year.

As we wrote before, output of Hungary’s automotive sector, a key driver of industry in the country, rose by an annual 10.7 percent in May, a second reading of data for the month released by the Central Statistical Office (KSH) shows.

Photo: Pixabay (Illustration)

Number of home power plants grows in Hungary

house

The number and capacity of household power plants has been growing constantly, with solar panel systems driving the industry, the Hungarian Energy and Public Utility Regulatory Authority (MEKH) said on Friday.

In the year 2016, 20,496 household-scale power plants were connected to the national power grid, a growth of 35 percent from the previous year, it said. The total capacity amounted to 165.5 MW by the end of the year.

The capacity of most household power plants is below 5 MWs.

Solar-driven power plants produced 164.08 MWs last year, 99.17 percent of the total capacity.

As we wrote, Kaposvár would like to become self-sufficient in energy by 2050. Urban buses have already been changed to be gas driven, and several urban institutions are supplied with biogas.

The last survey by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) released, the Hungarian population’s interest in global environmental sustainability and their sensitivity to environmental challenges has declined over the last six years.

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Budapest City Center getting a new park

The construction of the underground garage will begin soon. The establishment of a new park on the industrial area between the Millenaris Park and Margit Boulevard is also among the plans.  More than 300 saplings, extended lawn, significant surface of water, a modern playground and a special green wall will await visitors.

According to PestBuda.hu, the construction of the underground garage in the Millenaris Park will begin this week, and the whole park will be extended from the aspects of both territory and function by the end of the next year, minister of national economy Mihály Varga told MTI.

The restoration of the area between Millenaris Park and Margit Boulevard has begun three years ago with the demolition of the former office building. It is always a time-consuming process to rehabilitate the areas of rust.

They will tidy up the place

Mihály Varga emphasized that he understands the impatience of the local people, and he cannot wait to spend some quiet hours with his wife and children in the completed park. He added: it is worth to remember the desperate situation in the middle of Buda. It disturbed the people of Buda, but those in charge did not dare to take action.

“But it is better this way, otherwise a plaza or a luxury office building would stand here, as there were plans for this. Then the Fidesz government decided to clean up here. First the ownerships had to be made clear, which was not a simple case. The demolition of the building had to happen in the crowded neighborhood, and in the case of one of the industrial building’s – called the Melegpörgető – walls thicker than one meter had to be torn down with a special technique”, Mihály Varga stated. He added that the shipping of the enormous amount of clink took more than a year, and the permission of the plans were also delayed, but Millenáris Széllkapu Nonprofit Ltd. does not need any excuses.

“We are close to the finish line: the constructor will arrive this week and the construction of the underground garage begins. If everything goes as planned, the park will also be completed by the end of the next year, and we might enjoy the extended functions of Millenaris Park, walking among green trees by the spring of 2019”, as he claimed.

The birth of a new park

The minister highlighted that this will be the first big green park in the heart of Budapest since a long time. More than 300 saplings, extended lawn, significant surface of water, a modern playground and a special green wall will await visitors. The traffic of Fény Street will go underground, so the new park will become one with the renewed Millenaris.

The most significant novelty of the park will be the large green wall of plants. The plant containers will be placed onto 20 meters tall and 100 meters long steel structures, and they will be covered by vines.  The new construction will give a nice three-dimensional green look to the area, according to the plans. Each level of the structure will be accessible for pedestrians, and they will serve as viewpoints upon the park and its immediate environment, as Mihály Varga detailed. The park will be closed for the night, but the traffic between Lövőház Street and Kis Rókus Street will be constant thanks to the underground passage.

Mihály Varga added that a new underground garage will also be built under the surface of the park, which will greatly ease the parking problems of the area. There will be one entrance – from the direction of Kis Rókus Street – and two exits – one towards Margit Boulevard, another towards Kis Rókus Street – to the park. The garage and the surface will be connected by an elevator for pedestrians.  The project uses modern solutions: a part of humidity will be collected and used for watering, the buildings of the park will have green roofs, and a lot of sun collectors will be installed. Moreover, one of the centers of the e-mobility program promoting electric cars will also be in the new Millenaris Park. Twelve chargers will be available for users of electric cars along with an information center promoting e-mobility.

It was downright haunted

Mihály Varga also mentioned that the area was neglected for a long time, but the basic engineering work has already been done. The revitalization of Millenaris will begin during the summer, and it will affect the green areas. After the technical and energy renovations, the buildings will also be renewed. Millenaris Park will also serve as a multifunctional venue for events, and an innovational enterprise center will be established in one of the buildings.

Varga highlighted that the balancing of the expenses was an important aspect of Széllkapu project. The construction of the underground garage was delayed because the first offers greatly exceeded the available funds. The total expenses of the investment were about 55 million euros. However, the independent analysis shows that the extension of Millenaris Park will pay back by 2024.

The rehabilitation of the 2.5 hectares of green area is an affective and rapid return investment. Mihály Varga claimed it as an important message.

Photo: MTI

Ce: bm

The European Commission approves Hungary renewable energy support scheme

house

The European Commission on Tuesday said it has approved a Hungarian scheme to support renewable energy.

The EC said the scheme aimed at reducing CO2 emissions as well as preserving competition conform with European Union rules on state aid.

“The Hungarian support scheme will increase the share of green energy in Hungary’s energy mix, whilst preserving competition in the electricity market,” said commissioner responsible for competition policy Margrethe Vestager.

The scheme with an annual budget of up to 45 billion forints (EUR 49m) will support the generation of electricity using renewable resources through a feed-in tariff for installations under 500 kW and a premium over market prices for installations with a capacity over 500 kW. For installations with a capacity above 1 MW as well as for wind installations, the premium will be determined and beneficiaries selected in a competitive bidding process.

The EC noted that Hungary will partially open up the renewables support scheme to foreign producers as of 2017 to avoid discrimination.

Hungary solar power capacity could reach 2,100 MW by end-2018

solar

Commercial solar power capacity in Hungary could rise to 2,100 MW by the end of 2018, exceeding the capacity of the country’s sole nuclear power plant, the Hungarian Energy and Public Utility Regulatory Authority (MEKH) said on Monday.

MEKH noted that solar power plants operate on average for 1,050-1,200 hours per year in Hungary, generating enough power for 250 households for each half a megawatt of capacity.

In 2015, commercial power generation capacity using renewable resources stood at 837 MW, MEKH said.

Hungary introduced a new system of feed-in tariffs for power generators that use renewable resources from the start of this year. Under the system, cost-based prices are paid for power generated using renewable resources, providing an incentive for investments in green energy.

Here is the first town to become self-sufficient in energy

Kaposvár would like to become self-sufficient in energy by 2050, reports napi.hu. Urban buses have already been changed to be gas driven, and several urban institutions are supplied with biogas. The town plans further projects with the help of governmental and EU sources, according to deputy mayor Zsombor Borhi.

Kaposvár would like to operate independently by producing energy for itself. They would connect energetic developments to smart solutions. Therefore, they have planned the construction of the new sewage farm so that they could use the produced biogas to provide the recycling centre, right next to the farm, with energy.

Urban buses and the public bath have already been supplied with the biogas produced in the sugar factory of Kaposvár. Moreover, they make attempts at applying green solutions in the cases of all the buildings waiting for renovation. For example, they improve the energy efficiency of the buildings by putting solar cells on their rooftops.

“We cover most of the expenses with the sources of Regional Development Operational Programme (TOP) available for the towns with county rights. The renewal of the sewage farm was financed by the Environment and Energy Operational Programme (KEOP). There will also be several investments in energy saving and efficiency developments within the scope of the Modern Cities Program – said Zsombor Borhi.

Kaposvár takes the deadline of 2050 seriously: it already takes part in the ELENA project (European Local ENergy Assistance). Thus it tenders for the sources of Brussels. They plan to use the sources in energy sufficiency and saving investments and develop such a measurement system that could provide data about energy use.

Biogas power plants are getting more and more popular in Hungary: such a power plant is being built at the border of Balatonszabadi from about 4.5 million EUR, part of which (2 million EUR) was supplied by an EU tender. The power plant will produce the electric power that can satisfy the necessities of 2500 households from farmyard manure and by-products of plants from autumn on.

Ce: bm

More than 20,000 homes could have its energy system repaired in Hungary

house

According to portfolio.hu, Hungarians may get flat credit for sun collectors and window replacement.

More than 20,000 homes could have its energy system repaired from EU funds.

The application for the renovation of family houses’ and apartment buildings’ energy systems can be sent from 24th April. The credit program has a frame of 115 billion forints and has zero percent interest. Family houses may apply for a maximum of 10 million, flat blocks could apply for a maximum of 7 million forints of credit, with even 20 years of running time – states Portfolio.

The MFB residential credit programs and Otthon Melege Program (Warm Home Program) are supporting options independent from each other.

This year, the source Otthon Melege Program will be provided by the budget of 2017, while the zero percent credit programs will be provided by EU funds. The frame in the central region is 9.41 billion forints, and 105.2 billion nationwide, so more than 20,000 homes can be renewed from it.

It is important to note that the loan given to apartment buildings and housing cooperatives cannot go above the 25% of the frame all together.

The requirements of the application:

  • Family houses, apartment buildings, free housings, terraced houses, semi-detached houses, weekend houses, holiday homes, apartment buildings and housing cooperative flats can apply for the loan.
  • The sum of the loan can vary between 500 thousand and 10 million forints in the case of a natural person, and between 500 thousand and 7 million per flat in the case of apartment buildings and housing cooperatives.
  • The amount of own resources is at least the 10% of the eligible costs.
  • The mortgage, caution and lien based on demand on the estate cannot be accepted as forms of insurance.
  • The loan can only be demanded with a filled credit application form and the required attachments.

The following may be provided for the applicants if they want to improve their energy effectiveness:

  • The thermal insulation of the isolating structures that separate heated and non-heated rooms and do not function as doors or windows.
  • The reparation of the isolating structures that separate heated and non-heated rooms that function as doors or windows, making them more energy-saving.
  • The improvement of buildings summer heat protection, installation of shading or shade casting structures.
  • The renovation of heating or hot water systems.
  • The renovation of heat regenerator devices.
  • The change of inner and outer lighting systems for the sake of energy saving.

And these are the renewable energy projects for which people can apply:

  • Installation of solar collectors.
  • Installation of briquette, pellet, wood chip and wood log burner boiler systems.
  • Installation of solar cell systems for network or autonomous energy production, exclusively for the supply of the building affected by the improvement.
  • Application of geothermal-water, water-water, air-water heat pump systems for heating and/or hot water production and/or extra heating.

Ce: bm

Hungarian energy market in critical situation

power-poles-electricity energy industry

The prices on the energy market have never been so high in Hungary than on 11 January this year. Prices climbed up to €150/MWh, or even up to €300 on the Hungarian energy stock exchange (HUPX), as opposed to the average price of €50 last year, Napi.hu reports.

Prices were high only during the last two weeks of January, and not so high in the last two years. Before, high prices have not caused any problems in the energy system, researcher of Regional Centre for Energy Policy Research told Napi.hu.

The permanent cold weather in January influenced the whole European energy market. For example, in Germany, market prices drastically went up mainly because wind powers could produce less energy.

A record was set up in energy consumption in Hungary on 11 January 2017. 17,000 MW energy was consumed one day; this is 6.5% higher than the usual amount. Less energy was imported into the region as usual, while the cross-border capacities were fully used. Therefore, energy demand could be satisfied only by activating the spare power plants.

Hungary receives low priced electricity from three countries: from Austria, Slovakia and Ukraine. Capacities were fully used in the cold days, moreover, the amount of the daily import reduced with 200 MW from the direction of Austria. This was not considered an extreme decline, there have been several similar occasions before, the researcher told Napi.hu.

Some of the Hungarian power plants also fell out of energy production. The Mátra Power Plant immediately broke down because coal froze in the storage tanks. At the same time, the gas bloc of another power plant stopped operation, too, due to technical reasons.

The brake-down of the two power plants meant an energy loss of 1000 MW, while 5-6000 MW energy was consumed one day, that is, one-fifth of the energy consumed had to be refilled from other resources. Spare energy was provided by gas-engined power plants, but they could run only on a 67.8% efficiency. The icing on the cake was when one of the blocs of the Paks Power Plant broke down for two days, too, on 18. January.

Due to the break-downs and to the rising demand, the price of one MWh had climbed up to €250 on HUPX in the morning of 11. January, while in Austria, one MWh was €34. The capacity of the pipes stretching beyond the Hungarian borders were fully used, too, so traders could not benefit from the differences in prices.

Similar situation may occur on the Hungarian markets next winter, Napi.hu informs, but fortunately, there was spare energy left to use last January, so power-supply was not in danger. The peaks of daily energy consumption shifted to summer days due to hot weather, when air conditioners are used a lot. But in summer, demand can be satisfied more easily by solar power-plants.

The construction of the cross-border pipes at the Hungarian-Slovakian border would be a solution to the problem that occurred last January.

Ce: bm

Deadline approaches for electric car purchase subsidies in Hungary

Budapest, March 30 (MTI) – Saturday is the application deadline for government purchase subsidies for electric cars, the economy minister said, noting that 3 billion forints (EUR 9.7m) has been earmarked for subsidies this year.

Over 200 applications were approved over the past five months and another 300 are being assessed, Mihály Varga said, presenting an electric car in Óbuda University.

Varga said businesses submitted around half of applications, and those from private individuals have risen from 30 percent to 42 percent. Over half of all applications were submitted in Budapest and its region.

Hungarian university students build electric racing car

The electric racing car, being able to cover 200 km from about 0,14 Euros, is called SZElectivity. Since the foundation of the team in 2015, they have been developing environmentally and power-friendly cars. Currently, the team consists of 22 members, and 6-8 mentors, mainly researchers, who assist their work. The team consists of students from various fields, such as IT, engineering, finance and management. The car has been designed for races, but it may revolutionize urban traffic as well, Szeretlekmagyarország.hu reports.

The team has participated in the Shell Eco marathon for 8 years. This is the world’s greatest power-friendly race. The point is that the vehicles have to cover as long distances as possible with using as few energy as they can. Currently, SZElectivity is the best team in Europe. Their car is able to cover 195 km by using 1 kWh of energy, which costs about 0.14 Euros. SZElectivity enters the race in urban minicar category, because it is equipped with everything necessary for urban traffic. This means that, with smaller rearrangements, it may be put on roads, too.

So why aren’t the roads already full of environmentally-friendly cars, if it is possible to develop them? Zoltán Pusztai told Szeretlekmagyarorszag.hu that this is not far away, as the largest automotive companies are focusing on developing electric engines and building them in vehicles. Hybrid cars will be soon replaced by fully electric driven ones, like Tesla.

photo: Facebook.com/SZEnergy Team

The biggest difference between Tesla and SZElectivity is the weight, because Tesla is equipped with all the luxury, while the former does not need to be heavy, since it is a racing car. The Hungarian team’s car weights 90 kg. As for the size, SZElectivity is far smaller than a regular passenger car: it is almost as long as a Smart, but it is thinner. Not even one person can actually fit in it comfortably, but in case of SZElectivity, this is not the main point.

To drive SZElectivity, driving licence is not required, but this does not mean that anyone can easily cope with driving it, because you have to pay a lot of attention to power-efficiency: it is not the driver who brakes on the race course, because it is a regenerative brake built in the engine that slows down the car. Drivers also have to stop after covering 10 laps, and go on again, modelling urban traffic this way. The highest speed is 50 km/h, but during the race, cars run with an average of 30 km/h for the sake of power-effectiveness.

photo: Facebook.com/SZEnergy Team

The model being used now was developed 4 years ago. Since then its appearance has not changed, but the interior is constantly being redesigned. For example, the running gears, the brake system, and also the engine, are changed every year.

There has been only one model so far, but, according to Szeretlekmagyarország.hu, this model, or its successor, may run on roads soon. Till then, the team will concentrate on the races, and building electric cars remains as a hobby. According to Szeretlekmagyarország.hu, they have begun building a new car, and if everything goes well, they will concentrate on the production after the race next year.

 

Photos: Facebook.com/SZEnergy Team

Ce: bm

The best Hungarian ideas awarded at the Sustainability Oscars

According to szeretlekmagyarorszag.hu, the Hungarian competition of one of the most illustrious international events of sustainability and energy efficiency ended last week. The aim of Energy Globe Hungary Awards is to ensure publicity besides acknowledgement, and to help popularise the environmental conscious approach.

Participants could enter in three categories that aim to shape corporate, municipal and future generation approach.

“The E.ON Group puts the new energy world into the focus of its activity. We encourage the development of systems using renewable energy, we research new, smart technologies and invest in digital solutions, which further contribute to a liveable future. For our children, for ourselves. We’re looking for partners for this aim” said Zsolt Jamniczky, the member of E.ON Hungária Inc.’s directorate, at the ceremony.

They plan on adding newer categories next year. Sustainable buildings, individual initiations and environmentally conscious ideas in a concept phase can also enter from next year.

Along with the award show held in Castle Garden Bazaar, at an exhibition visitors could get to know Solar Boat, Budapest University of Technology and Economics’ race boat powered by solar cells, Szelectricity, Győr’s Saint Stephen University’s electric car project, Cargobike’s freighter bicycle, and Replacc’s toyhouse made from garbage. Young fashion designer’s – Anna Vetlényi, Dorina Bakó, Bori Györök – eco-collections were also presented.

“Those who entered this competition understood the importance of change and decided to shape our joint future under their own lead. We should be really proud of them!” said climate researcher Diána Ürge-Vorsatz, the president of E.ON Energy Globe Hungary Award’s jury.

In the corporate category, the winner was LIDL’s site that went through a complex energy efficiency renovation and was developed with respect to holistic sustainability aspects.

In the future generation category, Mecsekerdő Zrt. Mókus Suli’s open-air school’s development to an eco-educational centre won E.ON’s 3 million forints worth project fund.

Municipalities competed for the development of a green, smart playground. Kaposvár’s project won with replacing their bus fleet with bio gas powered vehicles.

The most audience votes were received by LIDL, so they will represent Hungary at the Energy Globe Award, which has become one of the most illustrious international events of sustainability.

Photos: www.facebook.com/E.ONHungária

ce: bm

Hungary can fulfil EU energy policy expectations, state secretary says

Daily News Hungary

Budapest, March 9 (MTI) – Hungary can meet all European Union standards and demands when it comes to increasing the proportion of renewable energy, expanding cross-border energy capacity and guaranteeing secure energy supplies, a government official told a conference on Thursday.

Addressing the conference organised by news portal Napi.hu and public relations agency Noguchi Porter Novelli, András Aradszki said Hungary’s long-term supply needs can be met in a timely way and at a reasonable price.

Hungary has already raised the proportion of renewables, but weather-dependent sources are insufficient to cover the country’s energy needs, he said.

With a view to achieve targets set at the 2015 Paris climate summit, Hungary has taken major steps in the direction of decarbonizing, one of which has been extending the lifetime of extant reactor blocks of the Paks nuclear power plant as well as pressing ahead with the planned expansion of the plant with a further two blocks.

Regarding the continuity of gas supplies, he said 80 percent of the country’s needs are imported so great importance is attached to diversifying supplies.

Attila Aszódi, government commissioner for the planned upgrade of Hungary’s sole nuclear power plant in Paks, noted that the European Commission had issued all the necessary permits for the project. The EC concluded that once completed the plant could be operated profitably.

Budapest mulls restricting taxi licences to electric vehicles

Budapest, February 9 (MTI) – The Budapest metropolitan council is mulling dispensing taxi licences to drivers of electric vehicles only, an official said on Thursday at a ceremony to hand over new charging stations at Budapest’s Liszt Ferenc International Airport.

The remark was made by the deputy mayor of Budapest, Balázs Szeneczey, who said the city’s leadership prioritises environmental protection, and this policy also applies to public transport. He noted “significant results” in the past few years to make the bus fleet greener and efforts to build more park and ride sites, he added.

Photo: bud.hu

 

Sale of subsidised e-cars starts

Budapest, December 23 (MTI) – The government is dedicated to developing e-mobility and nearly 30,000 electric vehicles are planned to be used in Hungary by 2020, the state secretary in charge of economic development said on Friday at an event marking the sale of the first subsidised electric car.

Almost half of applications for subsidy, or 33, will be processed this year, which will enable the sale of 47 e-cars in the first round, István Lepsényi said. The applicants include 13 private individuals, 18 companies, one budget-financed organisation and one civil organisation, he added.

Further applications can be submitted until May 1, 2017. The government allocated 2 billion forints (EUR 6.45m) this year for subsidising the sale of electric cars and utility vehicles, Lepsényi said.

Budapest to set up 250 electronic vehicle charging stations

Budapest, December 13, 2016 (MTI-ECONEWS) – The National Economy Ministry (NGM) and the Budapest Municipal Council on Tuesday signed a cooperation agreement to set up 250 electronic vehicle charging stations in the capital.

The municipal council will provide the free parking spaces and room for the EV charging stations and the NGM will offer 1.9 million euros of non-refundable grants out of its dedicated programme for municipalities.

Around 250 charging stations could be set up to service 500 vehicles.

The cooperation agreement is tied to the government’s Jedlik Ányos Plan, a blueprint for the regulatory and support framework required for popularising electromobility.

Photo: pixabay (illustration)